Deputy Head, Democratization Department At Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe

Background:

The OSCE has a comprehensive approach to security that encompasses politico-military, economic and environmental, and human aspects. It therefore addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, combating human trafficking, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism and economic and environmental activities. All 57 participating States enjoy equal status, and decisions are taken by consensus on a politically, but not legally binding basis.

The Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is the principal institution of the OSCE responsible for the human dimension. ODIHR is active throughout the OSCE area in the fields of election observation, democratic development, human rights, tolerance and non-discrimination, and the rule of law. ODIHR’s assistance projects and other activities are implemented in participating States in accordance with ODIHR’s mandate.

In furtherance of the Office’s mandate to promote and develop awareness of and adherence to the OSCE human dimension commitments, the OSCE/ODIHR Democratization Department serves as a source of support and expertise to the OSCE field operations and participating States in five substantive areas: Rule of Law, Legislative Support, Migration/Freedom of Movement, Democratic Governance and Gender. It is mandated to strengthen the capacity of the ODIHR as an institution in addressing human dimension issues across the OSCE region by supporting and assisting state authorities in implementing their human dimension commitments and by providing them with specific human dimension expertise, best practices and implementing regional activities and facilitating the transfer of best practices throughout the OSCE area as a whole.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Head of Democratization Department, the incumbent performs the following functions:

1. Advising the ODIHR management on strategies for promoting and supporting democratization processes across the OSCE region;
2. Identifying priority areas for ODIHR programmatic activities, target groups and the most effective means for tackling key areas of concern;
3. Developing, implementing and evaluating projects covering a wide range of topics related to the implementation of human dimension commitments in the area of democratization;
4. Managing administrative and budgetary aspects as well as human resources of the Democratization Department;
5. Providing supervision of the Migration and Freedom of Movement Unit to guide and ensure the outcomes of the department professional staff assigned responsibilities for project development, implementation and evaluation in the area of migration/freedom of movement and related issues;
6. Co-coordinating activities with other OSCE institutions, OSCE field operations and international organizations and representing ODIHR and the OSCE at international and regional conferences and other meetings;
7. Co-ordinating and supervising the staff in the absence of the Head of Department;
8. Performing other related duties as required.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Second-level university degree in international relations; law; political science; social sciences, public administration or a related field is required. A first-level university degree in combination with two years of additional qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the second-level university degree;
• Thorough knowledge of human rights and democracy-building issues is essential;
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience in international relations, law, human rights, political science or public administration;
• Established knowledge of the functioning of political institutions and government offices is required;
• Management experience essential;
• Demonstrated experience in project management;
• Field experience and international organization experience desirable;
• Knowledge of and experience in democratization issues in the OSCE area;
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Working knowledge of other OSCE languages is desirable;
• Ability to work with people of different nationalities, religions and cultural backgrounds;
• Demonstrated gender awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities.

Remuneration Package:

Monthly remuneration is around EUR 6,200, with the actual monthly salary depending on post adjustment and family status. OSCE salaries are exempt from taxation in Poland. Social benefits will include participation in the Cigna medical insurance scheme and the OSCE Provident Fund. The Organization contributes an amount equivalent to 15% of the employee’s salary to this Fund and the employee contributes 7.5%. Other allowances and benefits are similar to those offered under the United Nations Common System.

Appointments are normally made at step 1 of the applicable OSCE salary scale.